The Willian Saliba and Gabriel partnership that Arsenal fans love could be key to denying Erling Haaland and Man City
Arsenal have an ace up their sleeve as they attempt to exercise their Etihad demons against title rivals Manchester City this weekend.
The Gunners have a miserable away record against the defending Premier League champions and have not won there since January 2015.
This April 2023 fixture proved to be the Gunners' undoing in last season's title race, as Mikel ArtetaThe Russian team was defeated 4-1.
The costly defeat left City just two points behind the then leaders. Arsenal with two games less and pep guardiolaThe men finally returned home to glory.
However, Arsenal were missing an instrumental component last season that could be the key to stopping them. Erling Haaland this time.
Gabriel Magalhaes retired from the Brazil national team this month, but is expected to once again partner William Saliba In the back.
Saliba's absence due to injury caused Arsenal's downfall last season, with Rob Holding He failed to impress in the Frenchman's absence at the Etihad.
But Arteta's first-choice centre-back pairing has been instrumental in the club's title renewal this time, with the Gabriel-Saliba axis the most consistent in the Premier League.
The defensive duo have jointly started the most top-flight games (24) in 2023-24, jointly with Everton. James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite.
And when both are on the field, Arsenal barely concedes goals.
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When Gabriel and Saliba are side by side, the Gunners have conceded just 0.76 expected goals per game, the lowest rate of any centre-back pairing in the Premier League.
The two have also kept more clean sheets (nine) and have conceded the joint fewest shots per 90 minutes (0.9) than any other combination.
One of those shutouts came against City, with Gabriel and Saliba keeping Haaland and company quiet in the first leg in October.
The pair were in top form to help achieve a 1-0 win over the Citizens, Arsenal's first Premier League win over them since 2015.
Declan Rice He recently heaped praise on Gabriel and Saliba, telling TNT Sports: “I can't say enough about them, I'm not going to sit here and lie.
“I think Saliba is incredible, obviously I heard everything that was said about him before coming here and the one who really surprised me is Gabriel.
“He's so aggressive, so strong, he really wants it all the time, he never loses a duel.
“When you have two centre-backs like that who want to play aggressively, that really helps and gives you confidence.”
